Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Massachusetts Governor signs transgender equality rights bill

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick on Wednesday signed an historic transgender rights bill, giving the state’s estimated 33,000 transgender citizens vital protections against discrimination in employment, housing, education, credit and hate crimes law.

The Transgender Equal Rights Bill passed in the Massachusetts House on Nov. 15 by a vote of 95-58 vote, and cleared the state’s Senate the following morning when Senators approved the measure on a voice vote and with no opposition.

The approved version of the bill adds “gender identity” to employment, education, housing, and credit non-discrimination law, as well as to hate crimes law. It did not address public accommodations, however.

No comments: